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Cameras in Downtown Huntington Beach

Posted on April 23, 2013 by forensicmediaexpert in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Downtown Huntington Beach, a popular tourist attraction, may soon have several surveillance cameras installed throughout the city.  As police numbers drop, crimes such as alcohol-related assaults and thefts continue to rise, and some feel that surveillance cameras would be a good step towards cutting down on these crimes.

Not all city officials are on-board with the idea, though.  City Councilman Matthew Harper had this to say:  “When the government is coming in and placing cameras all about a public area, that’s a Big Brother world that I’m not interested in being a part of.”

But Police Sergeant Jim Katapodi feels that the security cameras would be beneficial, claiming that in his experience, cameras deter crime and those who are not breaking the law have nothing to fear.

This situation is becoming more and more common across the country, and as more and more cameras pop up, it will be interesting to see how the courts decide on these rulings.  As of now, they seem to be letting public surveillance prevail.

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Little Canada Man Video Confiscated by Police

Posted on April 23, 2013 by forensicmediaexpert in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Twincities.com just reported about a case in Little Canada, Minnesota, where Andrew Henderson was recently charged with two misdemeanors: obstruction of legal process and disorderly conduct. His crime? Henderson was videotaping two Ramsey County sheriff deputies as they were assisting a bloody-faced man outside of his apartment complex.

Henderson, who regularly carries his camera around to take video, was standing thirty feet away from the officers, merely observing the situation. Jacqueline Muellner, an officer on the scene, promptly approached Henderson and confiscated his camera, to which he claimed, what I am doing is legal.

This is just one more in a slew of national cases concerning the video recording of on duty police officers – especially when they are arresting an individual.

Andrew Henderson, well-versed on the law and his rights, stood his ground even after his equipment was confiscated, calmly reminding Muellner that he simply wanted to record in a public space. Which is perfectly legal.

I’m eager to see what comes of this case, as it may have implications with similar cases down the line regarding video cameras and recording the police.

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Camera’s in downtown Huntington Beach

Posted on April 15, 2013 by forensicmediaexpert in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Officials in Huntington Beach are currently debating on installing several high-definition surveillance cameras throughout the city.  The popular tourist attraction is a hotspot for alcohol-related crimes and thefts, and as police numbers drop, some feel that security cameras may help to cut down on crime.

But some feel that surveillance cameras would be an invasion of privacy.  City Councilman Matthew Harper said, “When the government is coming in and placing cameras all about a public area, that’s a Big Brother world that I’m not interested in being a part of.”

But Huntington Beach Police Sergeant Jim Katapodi feels that cameras absolutely deter crime, and in his experience, law-abiding citizens have nothing to worry about.

As surveillance cameras continue to pop up all across the country, more and more citizens are claiming invasion of privacy.  It will be interesting to see how the courts decide on these rulings but as of now, they seem to be letting public surveillance prevail.

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